Introduce at night?

[dusica731]

I've heard it is best to introduce new flock to older flock in coop at night. Why is this?

 

[LRH97]

It's just better than simply plopping new birds into the coop. The older ones wake up in the morning and the new ones are there. It just seems to ease the pecking order process.

 

[dusica731]

It's just better than simply plopping new birds into the coop. The older ones wake up in the morning and the new ones are there. It just seems to ease the pecking order process.

My oldest (13) ones are 10 weeks old. They have the coop, run and free range. The younger ones (2) 6 weeks old, (2) 5 weeks old and (3) are 3 weeks old. These guys occupy a corner pen inside the coop, and have been in there for 3 weeks now. The 6 and 5 week olds are getting a bit cramped in the pen. Do u think it would be safe to let at least the 2 6 week olds out into population? I'm am afraid to wake up in the am to a injured or "lost" chicken... Ideas?

 

[Chirpy]

I also have my chicks in the chicken coop with a chicken wire divider for a few weeks before I let them together with the main flock. That way they see each other and can get up close and personal without anyone getting hurt. Then - I introduce mine by letting them out to free range for probably a week or more with the rest of the flock; still locking them up separate at night. That way they have tons of room to run away if one of the older hens decides to chase them around.

When I feel they are getting along well during the day that night I put the new chicks into the coop with the rest of the flock. I do have the need to get out there early the next morning to make sure everyone is getting along well. So far, in 7 years I've never lost a chick after introducing them that way.

It takes more time and a watchful eye but, if you have the time, it's a much safer way to introduce them.

I have added adult chickens to my flock using the nighttime method and have had mixed results... thus, why I am even more careful with smaller chicks.

 

[dusica731]

I also have my chicks in the chicken coop with a chicken wire divider for a few weeks before I let them together with the main flock. That way they see each other and can get up close and personal without anyone getting hurt.  Then -  I introduce mine by letting them out to free range for probably a week or more with the rest of the flock; still locking them up separate at night.  That way they have tons of room to run away if one of the older hens decides to chase them around.  

When I feel they are getting along well during the day that night I put the new chicks into the coop with the rest of the flock.  I do have the need to get out there early the next morning to make sure everyone is getting along well.   So far, in 7 years I've never lost a chick after introducing them that way.

It takes more time and a watchful eye but, if you have the time, it's a much safer way to introduce them.

I have added adult chickens to my flock using the nighttime method and have had mixed results... thus, why I am even more careful with smaller chicks.

Thank you!